Both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate are back in Washington this week. The beginning of November is just a stark reminder that the clock is ticking fast to Nov. 18 -- when the resolution funding the federal government ends, and Nov. 23 -- when the supercommittee deficit proposal is due.

On Tuesday, the supercommittee, which includes Pennsylvania's U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey holds a public hearing on two previously released deficit reduction proposals. The panel will hear from former Sen. Alan Simpson and former White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles of the Simpson-Bowles Commission and former budget director Alice Rivlin and former Sen. Pete Domenici of the Bipartisan Policy Center.

The Senate is expected to pass this week a spending bill "minibus" comprised of three 2012 appropriations bills. They include Agriculture; Commerce, Justice, Science; Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development bills. The Senate already voted for cloture last week, essentially ensuring its passage. Toomey was one of 16 Republicans to vote against cloture. The two chambers could convene a conference soon to negotiate a bill that can pass the House and Senate.

Other happenings:

The U.S. House votes on a resolution "reaffirming "In God We Trust" as the official motto of the United States and supporting and encouraging the public display of the national motto in all public buildings, public schools and other government institutions."

The Senate Judiciary Committee marks up legislation to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act.